Abstract
Background： Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an immune-mediated disease and causes systemic articular destruction. Recent development of novel drugs has ameliorated the disease activity and improved nutritional status. As supplement use in patients with RA is largely unknown, however, a questionnaire survey was conducted.
Study design： RA outpatients in our institutes (12male and 85female) participated in this study and filled in a questionnaire. This study was approved by the ethics committee.
Results： Out of the patients, 51% of them used supplements and only 13 % of them for RA. Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) was used in 6 patients, lactic acid and calcium were used in 4 patients respectively, and glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen and coenzyme Q10 were used in 2 patients respectively. Polyphenol, enzyme, aojiru and herb were also used in a patient respectively.
One third of patients who used supplement for RA estimated them effective. The monthly cost of supplement was less than ¥3000 in 15, ¥3000-8000 in 19 and over ¥8000 in12 patients.
Conclusion： A half of RA patients were revealed to use diet supplements, however only 13% of patients used them for RA itself. PUFA was the most prevalent supplement in RA. Seventy percent of patients hoped to continue some supplements or use them in the future.
